My thoughts on the Phillies season.

The Phils reward Cole Hamels second straight great start with a late four-run outburst as they defeat the Padres, 4-1.

The Phils reward Cole Hamels strong start by scoring four run as they beat the Padres, 4-1.

The Padres broke up a 0-0 pitchers’ duel in the fifth as, with a man on third, and with one man out, Jesus Guzman hits an RBI ground out, 6-3, scoring Cameron Maybin, who had started off the inning with a triple, giving the Padres a 1-0 lead. The Phils tied the game up at 1-1 in the seventh as, with the bases loaded, via singles by Shane Victorino and Ty Wigginton, and then a bunt single by Freddy Galvis, as he was making a sacrifice bunt attempt, which allowed both Victorino and Wigginton to move up a base, and with nobody out, Brian Schneider hits an RBI single, scoring Victorino, while sending Wigginton to third base, and Galvis up to second base, leaving the bases loaded. Two batters later, with the bases still loaded, and now with one man out, the Phils took the lead as Juan Pierre hits a two-run single, scoring both Wigginton and Galvis, giving the Phils a 3-1 lead, while sending Schneider up to second base. The Phils then added to their lead in the eighth as, with one man out, Victorino hits a solo home run, his second home run of the year, giving the Phils a 4-1 lead. That would end up being the final score as Jonathan Papelbon recorded his fifth save of the season with a 1-2-3 ninth, striking out Orlando Hudson, looking, for the game’s final out.

Cole Hamels (2-1, 2.95) got the win as he pitched six strong innings, giving up just one run on six scattered hits and a walk, while striking out four. Jose Contreras gets his first hold of the season, as he made his first official appearance after rejoining the ballclub on Monday, as he pitched a scoreless inning, walking a batter. Chad Qualls collected his fourth hold of the year as he pitched a 1-2-3 inning. Jonathan Papelbon recorded his fifth save of the year as he threw a 1-2-3 ninth, striking out a batter. Edinson Volquez (0-2, 4.30) took the lost as he pitched six innings plus three batters, giving up three runs on five hits and three walks, while striking out five. Andrew Cashner blew his first save opportunity of the season as he pitched an inning, giving up two hits, while striking out a batter. Josh Spence pitched a third of an inning, giving up a run on four hits. Joe Thatcher pitched one and two-thirds innings, giving up no hits.

The Phils had eleven hits in the ballgame, with Shane Victorino (Single, Home Run, RBI), Ty Wigginton (Singles), Freddy Galvis (Singles) and Brian Schneider (Singles, RBI) all leading the ballclub with two hits each. Juan Pierre (Single, 2 RBIs), Placido Polanco (Single) and Cole Hamels (Double) had the other three Phils’ hits, as this time the team was able to get the key hits they needed in their three-run seventh. The Phils also had three walks.

The Phils (7-7, 5th East) will continue their four-game series with the Padres (3-12, 5th West) with a game later today. The game will be played at Petco Park, and will start at 8:35 pm EDT (5:35 pm PDT). The Phils will send to the mound their ace Roy Halladay (3-0, 1.17), who is coming off a victory against the Giants on April 16, as he went eight strong innings, giving up two runs on seven hits and three walks, while he struck out six, in the Phils’ 5-2 win. He will be going for his fourth straight victory, while trying to help pitch the Phils to their fourteenth straight win at Petco Park. The Padres will try to counter with Cory Luebke (1-1, 3.71), who is coming off a win against the Rockies on April 16, as he went seven innings, giving up a run on six hits and a walk, while he struck out four, in the Padres’ 7-1 blowout. He will be trying to stop the Padres present losing streak. The Phils will be out to win their fourteenth straight game at Petco Park, while trying to make Doc a four game winner.

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